Markets & Finance

Canada Shares Finish Flat

European markets finished higher. In London, the Financial Times-Stock Exchange 100 index ended up 39.40 points, or 0.97%, to 4,090.5. In France, the CAC 40 gained 63.97 points, or 2.09%, to 3,120.85. Shares of Air France were up as the airline reached a wage agreement with its pilots.

And in Germany, the DAX Index jumped 96.95 points, or 3.13%, to 3,198.96, even though the Ifo business confidence index for West Germany fell to a nine-month low of 87.7 in October from 88.2 in September. Traders were encouraged by a report that the German government plans to cut healthcare costs, according to S&P MarketScope. Infineon Technologies gained as prices of high-speed computer memory chips reached their highest level in eight months.

In Asia, the markets ended higher. The Nikkei gained 31.22 points, or 0.36%, to close at 8,757.51, as a slide in automobile shares was offset by gains in IT-related shares with good financial results and outlook. However, lower trading volume indicated that investors were sidelined, awaiting the release of details how to deal with the bad loan crisis and the government's anti-deflation proposals.

In Hong Kong, the market gained 131.20 points, or 1.35%, to close at 9853.74.